While going to college I have seen first hand how a 12 step campus can benefit an individual. While not an alcoholic myself, I have addicts in my family, and my group of friends. One best friends joined a 12 step programon campus ninety days ago and the results have been extraordinary. She has made a commitment to herself, and surrendered her pride to a higher power alongside a group of supporters. This has enabled her to stay in control one day at a time. The 12 step campus she is a member of gives her the confidence to stand tall in difficult situations where her addiction could normally get the better of her. Within ninety days she has increased her metabolism, her energy level, her exercise pattern, and most of all, her enjoyment of life. She writes in her journal every evening after doing her homework and before going to bed, about the journey she accomplished that day. She calls her sponsor at 6:45 every morning before class to commit her plan for the day. The amount of dedication she has to this 12 step program is admirable and makes me wonder what I’m missing out on. I claim no uncontrollable vice of my own, but is that entirely accurate?
Her newfound way of life has brought me to question my own habits while living on campus. I started to think that there may be an habit or two in my life that could use some maintenance. I decided to do some research. What I found surprised There is literally a twelve step program at my school for nearly everything! From online gaming to workaholics! And if there isn’t one, then surely it could be brought up with the campus administration and arranged. I have yet to figure out which program would be right for me. I think sometimes anger management may do me some good, or procrastinators anonymous. If there is a 12 step program for manic depressiveness, that would certainly be my group. It makes me wonder though, if a bunch of us manic depressives gather three times a week in the same place, would their cycles align? I can see it now. One day everyone in the room is ready to lay down and die, and then next week we decide to throw a party with a banner that says, “Nothing Can Stop Us!!!!” I don’t know. There are certainly things that I can improve on, and maybe I need some sort of intervention to find out what my main problem is. I suppose that if it’s a big enough problem, it will find me. But until then I continue to draw inspiration from watching this close and dear friend of mine better her life one day at a time.
But as well as making me question my own habits, her new ways have been rubbing off on me Because she is not only my friend, but my soon to be fiancé, and my roommate, her lifestyle has a profound effect on my own and we tend to feed off each other’s habits. In this case, because her lifestyle has changed for the positive and I am entirely supportive, I no longer eat as much. All said and done, I have an enormous respect for my school for providing 12 step programs to help people gain control over the things they do not have the strength to overcome alone. I have seen first hand the light that can shine as a result.
